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Farm attacks, in South Africa, are unique by nature and deserving of a unique counter-strategy.
Unlike many other types of crime, farm attacks often involve a level of brutality and violence that is above and beyond what might typically be associated with robbery or theft. This isn’t just a case of taking property; it’s often an act of terror, with victims subjected to heinous acts of violence. This sadistic nature sets farm attacks apart from many other crimes and calls for a unique and robust response.
Farms are not just homes; they are vital cogs in the country’s economic machinery.
The agricultural sector’s role in food production, employment, and economic stability elevates these attacks from mere criminal acts to threats against national well-being. Thus, protecting farms isn’t merely a matter of law enforcement; it’s a matter of national security and economic policy.
The dissolution of the Commandos, a rural defence force, has left many farming communities without proper protection . Once a vital part of rural security, the disbanding of these units in 2003 has created a vacuum. In the absence of these protective forces, farms are more vulnerable, and crime rates in some rural areas have rocketed.
The Commando System in South Africa operated mainly as a voluntary, part-time force within the South African Army, but these units frequently functioned as a local militia, supporting and working under the South African Police’s authority.
Theo de Jager is a South African farmer.
He is also Executive Director at Southern African Agri Initiative (SAAI) and was, until recently, the president of the World Farmers’ Organisation.
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